Chelsea vs. Manchester City Prediction: Huge Game For Both Teams

Top-five chasers Chelsea host title candidates Manchester City in what feels like a massive match for both Premier League teams.

• Can Chelsea bounce back from their poor recent run of form?

• Will Manchester City be able to reel in Arsenal in the title fight?

Chelsea vs. Manchester City Odds

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My +133 Pick for Chelsea vs. Manchester City 

Back Manchester City to beat Chelsea. Pep Guardiola’s side are not perfect, but they are a much stronger proposition than their upcoming opponents as things stand.

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Rosenior Already Under Pressure as Chelsea’s Form Dips

The role of Chelsea manager has never been suitable for those seeking long-term job security, so the suggestions that Liam Rosenior is already under pressure are not altogether surprising. It is hard to see the former Strasbourg head coach being sacked before the end of the season at least, and it is only right to point out that the problems at Stamford Bridge run deeper than the incumbent of the hot seat.

Anyway, this could yet be a semi-successful season for the Blues. They are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, which means they are just two wins away from a trophy. And although their form has been patchy at best in recent weeks, Chelsea are only a point outside the top five in the Premier League. Champions League qualification is still well within reach.

Yet it is fair to say we are well and truly out of Rosenior’s honeymoon period. Appointed to vast scepticism among the Chelsea fan base, the former defender started off reasonably well after he succeeded Enzo Maresca. But performances and results before the March international break did him no favors whatsoever.

It is not just that Chelsea were thrashed by Paris Saint-Germain over two legs in the last 16 of the Champions League. More damaging than that was the multiple setbacks they suffered domestically, from frustrating home draws against Leeds United and Burnley, to painful defeats by Newcastle United (0-1) and Everton (0-3).

Because the likes of Aston Villa and Liverpool have also been inconsistent of late, Chelsea are still within touching distance of the Champions League qualification berths. But a vast improvement is needed in the weeks ahead, otherwise Rosenior could find his job under threat. Given he has never managed a club of Chelsea’s size before, the 41-year-old has his work cut out. A victory over Manchester City, however, would help his cause immensely.

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Manchester City Outsiders for Title but Still in the Hunt for Now

Manchester City remain outsiders in the Premier League title race, but they dealt their competitors a huge blow in the head-to-head meeting between them last month. No points were up for grabs when City faced Arsenal at Wembley Stadium, but their 2-0 victory in the EFL Cup final may have dealt a psychological blow to Mikel Arteta’s men.

That is what City will be hoping for in any case. After an even first half at England’s national stadium, Pep Guardiola’s men outclassed their opponents. Nico O’Reilly scored twice to earn City the trophy and leave Arsenal feeling glum. But whether or not that result has an effect on the title race remains to be seen.

Much will come down to Arsenal’s game against Bournemouth on Saturday. Win that and the pressure would be back on City, who would then find themselves 10 points adrift of the summit of the standings. But if Arsenal were to stumble at home to the Cherries, it would hand City the initiative.

Right now, Guardiola’s charges still have plenty of work to do. The gap between them and Arsenal is nine points after City failed to beat either Nottingham Forest or West Ham United in a pair of winnable matches in March. True, City have a game in hand on Arsenal, who must still visit the Etihad Stadium. But you would rather have points on the board at this stage of the campaign.

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Which Way Will This Go as Two Big-Six Sides Face Off?

“I would like to [be] nine points in front of Arsenal,” Guardiola admitted after the final of the EFL Cup, a competition he has now won more times (five) than any other manager in history. “But I don't know if we'd change that for the trophy, nine points to fight for the Premier League. “I know it will have no impact. Different competitions. The Premier League is in their hands and they punish us a lot.”

On paper at least, Manchester City also have the disadvantage of a tougher game this weekend. True, Bournemouth are on an 11-match unbeaten streak, but Arsenal should beat them on home turf. For City, a trip to Stamford Bridge is never straightforward, notwithstanding the recent struggles of their upcoming opponents. 

However, Chelsea have not been at all convincing of late, and their defensive leakiness in particular will help City on Sunday. Guardiola’s team have not been at their absolute best for much of this season, but the way they dominated Arsenal in their last game in London will give them confidence ahead of this trip to the capital.

For all their issues, Chelsea can still cause opponents problems going forward, with Joao Pedro a standout performer since Rosenior came to the club. But there is a reason City are 13 points above Chelsea in the table: they are simply a more complete team from back to front. 

That does not guarantee them a victory this weekend - this is soccer, after all - but Guardiola’s side have a good record at the business end of the season that is now upon us. Go for a Manchester City victory over Chelsea when these two teams lock horns at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

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How to Watch Chelsea vs. Manchester City

• Teams: Chelsea vs. Manchester City

• Location: Stamford Bridge, London, England

• Date and Time: Sunday 12th April, 11:30AM ET

• How to Watch: USA Network